technology and connectivity...

Is there anyone else out there who is disappointed with the technology and connectivity challenges of this venue? With this group of highly connected and technologically competent people, to not have access to power and the internet in the session rooms seems ridiculous. Likewise, the lack of adequate spaces to sit comfortably with a computer, connected to an outlet, and with internet connectivity, is infuriating. I see people squirreled away in corners and on the floor in hallways, queuing up for a single outlet, typing with their computer on their lap, all for lack of adequate facilities. Our campuses and boardrooms have determined ways to accommodate the realities of a connected world; it is probably time for venues like this to do the same. I hope SCUP will insist on these minimal amenities in future venues.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Calhoun on July 21, 2009 at 5:02pm: We hear you, Johnnie. We would like all of those things, too. We are pretty happy that there is free wireless in the public spaces and session rooms, which is a first for us.

However, until 2017, we are locked into conference contracts with convention centers and hotels, so we're pretty much at the mercy of what those places have available when we get there - something that's hard to predict several years out :(

Even within the realm of what is available, there are added costs. For example, setting a room up with round tables instead of theater-style seating costs space and reduces the number of people who can fit into a space, therefore requiring that we pay for additional space; and running power cords is also an additional cost. So that's an issue when it arises at the same time when people's budgets are being cut.

But, like I said, we have the same goal as you do. Personally, I hope that in 2017 - if anyone can afford to travel to any conferences at all - we have all table seating, ubiquitous wireless and, heck, why not, wireless power transmission, too!

Please, also, share these comments on the overall conference evaluation survey that will be sent to you in a few days.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Johnnie Driessner on July 21, 2009 at 6:12pm

Terry... I do understand the limitations of the early selection of sites, the physical limitations of public venues, and the cost factor. I would suggest, however, that there are some also low cost options to incrementally improve the situation. For example, the tables in the lobby (across from Starbucks) are set along a wall where there is one duplex plug. On the opposite wall where nothing is set up (except three chairs moved against the wall by people desperately seeking an outlet) there are three duplex plugs and more room, but no tables (see attached photo). Similarly, most of the sessions that I have attended have been set up with theater seating and have not been seated to capacity. The same number of people could be seated at round tables and even more in classroom style seating with narrow tables. Non-binding pre-registration for concurrent sessions can also help to identify which sessions will be more heavily attended and those can be scheduled in larger spaces. I do know that I will limit my attendance to conferences in the future that allow me to utilize the technologies to which I have become accustomed and on which I am professionally dependent.

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outlets.JPG, 894 KB

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Permalink Reply by Terry Calhoun on July 21, 2009 at 6:51pm: Appreciate the suggestions, which I will definitely pass on to our meeting planning staff.; ▶ Reply to This